Around the League 6-18-058

June 17, 2005 10:03 PM ET
Chiefs: Hakim reneges on his verbal agreement
The News
Free-agent wide receiver Az-Zahir Hakim backed out of a contract agreement with the Chiefs on Friday afternoon, and it is believed that he will now sign with the Saints, ESPN's Len Pasquarelli is reporting. "Az and his agent got together and they really felt his best situation was not here for him," Chiefs' head coach Vermeil told ESPN following Friday's mini-camp session. "Then he and I discussed it. I told you all along that I wanted what was best for him, and I think he's going to end up in New Orleans." Hakim was cut by the Lions after three injury-plagued seasons.
Our View
Hakim never actually signed a contract, so there will be no salary cap implication from all this. The source of his sudden change of heart was reportedly that Vermeil wouldn't guarantee him a roster spot. He's really no lock to make the Saints if he can't stay healthy, but the deal with them was reportedly for more money. The Chiefs will now begin another search for a veteran wideout and are believed to be in contact with big-mouthed, low-producing receiver Freddie Mitchell.

June 17, 2005 3:10 PM ET
Packers: Rodgers' struggles continue
The News
Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers was known for pinpoint accuracy throughout his college career at the University of California. However, the No. 24 overall pick in April's draft has struggled with his accuracy in the team's minicamp workouts. "Something is causing him to have his ball sail," Packers' offensive coordinator Tom Rossley told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. "He's high on all of his throws. He's not really cutting loose, and he's not following through and finishing on the ball." Rodgers is attributing his on-field struggles to being mentally overloaded with new information.
Our View
Aaron scored 1,310 on his SAT's and a 35 on the Wonderlic test, so it shouldn't be too long before he absorbs the new information he's being asked to learn. In the meantime, he'll be stuck behind No. 2 signal caller Craig Nall on the depth chart. Fortunately for Rodgers, he has plenty of time to work the kinks out, as starter Brett Favre has already stated that he is open to the idea of returning for future seasons.

June 17, 2005 3:03 PM ET
Cardinals: Mitchell signs
The News
The Cardinals signed rookie linebacker Lance Mitchell to a three-year contract on Thursday, according to the Arizona Republic. Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed. The former Sooner was selected in the fifth-round of April's draft.
Our View
Mitchell will find it difficult to earn playing time behind starters James Darling, Ronald McKinnon, and Karlos Dansby. In fact, he is listed on the depth chart below several backup players such as Darryl Blackstock, Gerald Hayes, and Orlando Huff.

June 17, 2005 2:33 PM ET
Falcons: Jenkins pushing Price
The News
Second-year wide receiver Michael Jenkins is making a bid to earn a spot in the starting lineup. Although Jenkins was expected to push No. 2 wideout Dez White for playing time, he is instead challenging Peerless Price for the No. 1 role, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Jenkins finished last season with just seven receptions for 119 yards.
Our View
We still expect Price and Jenkins to be in the starting lineup when the regular season begins. The coaches are doing everything in their power to motivate Price. As if making it known that they were toying with the idea of releasing Peerless wasn't enough, now they are threatening to give his starting job to a second-year player. Price has his issues and has a big contract, but he's certainly better than White.

June 17, 2005 2:14 PM ET
Cardinals: McCoy signs three-year deal
The News
The Cardinals signed rookie wide receiver LeRon McCoy to a three-year contract on Thursday, according to the Arizona Republic. Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed. McCoy was picked in the seventh round by the Cardinals.
Our View
Fantasy owners won't be seeing much of McCoy this year, as the team is loaded with wide receiver talent. In addition to starters Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, the team also has former first-round pick Bryant Johnson and former Buccaneers' wideout Charles Lee.

June 17, 2005 11:25 AM ET
Jaguars: Kight signed
The News
The Jaguars claimed wide receiver Kelvin Kight off waivers from the Packers Thursday. Kight spent four games on the active roster in Green Bay but did not record a catch.
Our View
Kight played his college ball at the University of Florida, so he's familiar to the area. It's unlikely he'll make much of a fantasy splash given the Jags have Jimmy Smith and their last two first-round draft picks sitting atop their wide receiver depth chart.

June 17, 2005 11:16 AM ET
Redskins: Gardner to skip minicamp
The News
Redskins' wide receiver Rod Gardner is still seeking a trade or his release. As such, he will not attend the team's minicamp workout this weekend, according to the Washington Post. The Redskins are expected to grant Gardner's wish by releasing him in the near future if they can't find a team that's willing to trade for the four-year veteran.
Our View
Gardner is making this difficult by refusing to sign a contract extension with any team that acquires his services via trade. The Redskins want to get something in return for the former No. 15 overall pick in the 2001 draft, but teams won't give up much for a player who only has one season left on his deal. The Panthers are among the teams that are believed to be interested in signing Gardner if the Skins elect to release him.

Re: Around the League 6-18-058

The Chiefs will now begin another search for a veteran wideout and are believed to be in contact with big-mouthed, low-producing receiver Freddie Mitchell.

Don't rule out Rod Gardner, if he becomes available as a free agent. He might not fit the mold of Chief receivers, but I think the Chiefs would rather take a risk on him than Mitchell.

"Something is causing him to have his ball sail," Packers' offensive coordinator Tom Rossley told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. "He's high on all of his throws. He's not really cutting loose, and he's not following through and finishing on the ball." Rodgers is attributing his on-field struggles to being mentally overloaded with new information.

I don't know if it was here or not, but I've heard questions about how Mike Martz can openly criticize his first round draft pick when talking about how Barron has struggled. Apparently, he's not the only one willing to speak negatively about a player's progress. Bottom line is if a guy is struggling, you've gotta tell it like it is. You have to wonder if these kind of problems with Rodgers were a factor in what caused him to fall.

Mitchell will find it difficult to earn playing time behind starters James Darling, Ronald McKinnon, and Karlos Dansby. In fact, he is listed on the depth chart below several backup players such as Darryl Blackstock, Gerald Hayes, and Orlando Huff.

Wow, Mitchell will have it rough trying to earn playing time if he's competing with someone not even currently on the Cardinals roster. Looks like someone forgot to fund the research department this week.